I think I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy daydreaming, right? As you might have read in previous posts, I often imagine random things, like running into Jil Sander or coming up with the things I have in common with Miuccia Prada (remember I found two?). This week, I went in a slightly different direction: I was daydreaming about being Diana Vreeland — or at least, being like her. And you know what? I found at least one thing we share: a strong love for peanut butter toast with jam (I have it almost every day, too). She washed it down with scotch, but I’m not quite there yet.
"Peanut butter is the greatest invention since Christianity," she said.
In the midst of all this daydreaming, I had a tiny realization recently. Someone said to me, “Well, you love fashion,” and for a moment I thought, “Mhm…do I?” And then it hit me: no, not really. I don’t love fashion. I don’t even know fashion. I don’t follow trends, I don’t know what’s going on in the fashion houses and why, I don’t know which designer is gonna replace which designer, and I’m not really that interested. What I do love, though, is (a certain) style and curiosity. And it’s these two words that make me think of Diana Vreeland.
Vreeland was very much known for her sharp wit and unforgettable quotes, two of which come to mind immediately and go something like this: “Style helps you get up in the morning,” and “The eye has to travel.” Boom, voilà, there you go — style and curiosity! That’s what it’s all about. At least to me.
Following my own little formula for comme/neuf, today’s post is inspired by a book I revisited this month: Diana Vreeland: Bon Mots, Words of Wisdom from the Empress of Fashion, edited by her grandson Alexander. It’s a brilliant collection of her quotes and thoughts, and to me, it seems just as relevant now as I am sure it was back then.
Why I Love Her
Diana Vreeland has been an inspiration to me for a long time. Her originality, her refusal to follow norms, and the way she embraced eccentricity (without labeling it as such) are just a few reasons why she stands out to me. She showed that style is about being as close to yourself as you can. And let’s not forget her incredible career — from Harper's Bazaar (where she began writing her iconic “Why Don't You?” column dispensing much-satirised but no less joyful advice), to Vogue to her work at the Met. (Also, I read that she is credited with inventing words like “pizzazz”…and I only recently learned that word. Does anyone actually use it??)
Diana Vreeland was born to an English father and an American mother in Paris in 1903, where she lived until World War One. Her career spanned six decades and witnessed major social upheavals and changes: World War II, the space age, and the sexual revolution. She never stopped, never settled (“Well, I was only 70. What was I supposed to do? Retire?”, we heard her say in this documentary).
But it wasn’t just her career that interested me. It was her whole outlook on life. She believed that creativity comes from experience — seeing the world, living fully, and not being afraid to romanticize your days. One of her quotes that always resonates with me is:
“There’s only one very good life, and that’s the life you know you want, and you make it yourself.”
That one’s extra highlighted in my copy of her autobiography (which is full of my own notes and scribbles because it’s just that kind of book). So, if you take anything from this post, I hope it’s that bit of Vreeland wisdom and inspiration.
Below are some of my favorite bits from Bon Mots:
Quick links that I frequent:
Book excerpts on the Insta page dedicated to DV
Her (longer) interview on Interview (I dream of finding this issue on eBay)
Her (shorter) Life Lessons on Interview
A 1993 essay on Harpers Bazaar titled The Cult of Diana
Her 1981 interview on YouTube (the audio quality gets better; and also lol at the first comment under the video: “She had a great wit. Some unkind man she was flirting with at a party told her he'd only sleep with her if she had a bag over her head. She replied "Chanel or Vuitton?")
The Eye Has to Travel — a 2011 docu film about DV
From the recent things I read, I also enjoyed
’s essay on style, where she mentions DV among other amazing personas
On Style
From what I learned from her autobiography and a bunch of images on the internet, Diana Vreeland was all about simple elegance. She often favored tailored suits, chic trousers with crisp white shirts or cozy sweaters, and shirt dresses. She also paid a great deal of attention to accessories! I think it’s the accessories that truly made her outfits sing? Think statement jewelry, look at this quirky horn pendant:
She once said something like, “I need the best cashmere (omg cashmere aka my favorite C-word, I have to remind you!) sweater, the finest satin trousers, the most exquisite stockings, and delightful shoes — then I can wrap anything around my neck.” Isn’t that just the perfect mix of practical and playful? (I wanna be more playful, will dark brown socks do the job? Instead of the usual black.)
Paris was like her personal playground for shopping, where she frequently visited her dear friend, Coco Chanel. Just imagine the conversations they must have had?? Ah, to be a fly on the wall (I’ve been saying this phrase a lot lately)!
Vreeland's influence even reached Jackie Kennedy, whom she guided during the presidential campaign. She introduced Jackie to the talented designer Oleg Cassini, who would go on to create some of the First Lady’s most iconic looks. In fact, it was Diana who suggested Jackie wear that stunning white dress with long gloves for the inauguration.
Outfits that I love and copy in my head (all from Pinterest):
On that note, I’ll be thinking about DV for the rest of the…month? I don’t know, I think she…transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary?, all while keeping it wonderfully personal.
I am now inspired to go on resale and look for something cashmere to wrap around my waist, while I stubbornly muddle along in the same dark pants and sweaters. Shall I look for you, too?
Thank you for reading and enjoy your Sunday!
xx
Fantastic reminder to re-watch The Eye Has to Travel (and to read her autobiography). Thank you!
This was simply delightful to read! Thank you! You reminded me of so many of her brilliant quotes! That leopard quote!!♥️